Email Tips: Let the Bible Interpret Itself

When you read a single verse to teach a doctrine it requires interpretation.

For example, you can know Jesus was God by reading John 1:1 or 1 Tim 3:16 by themselves, but they require the reader interpret correctly and not correct the verse. As such, these verses are much aligned and attacked.

One way to solve the the problem of potential misinterpretation is to let the Bible interpret itself.

The Bible can interpret itself when you compare one verse to another talking about the same thing. It can be another verse in the same passage, or from a different passage as long as they are talking about the same thing.

Isaiah 45:21-25 explains that there is no God and Saviour but the LORD. God swears that unto him every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

“…I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” – Isaiah 45:23

Phil 2:10-11 is talking about the same thing: every knee bowing unto someone.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth…” – Phil 2:10

Notice both verses are talking about every knee bowing down to someone. In Isaiah that someone is God. In Philippians that someone is Jesus.

When read together the Bible interprets itself to teach that Jesus is God: Jesus is the one God and Saviour spoken about in Isaiah 45.

The doctrine of Jesus being God is not one of private interpretation or upheld by just a few single verses, it is the interpretation of the Bible when compared to itself.

It is possible for men to misinterpret a single verse, but when the Bible interprets itself the doctrine is stronger and more reliable.

This is why Bible study by comparing verses helps you understand more than simply reading verses or trying to correct the words of any one verse.

If you can’t figure out a verse. Look for comparisons. Let the Bible interpret itself.